Wisdom-What Makes Someone Wise?
Who is the wisest person you can think of? What makes this person so wise?
Most likely traits like intelligence, talent, or maturity (age) surface first.
Although a good definition of wisdom is difficult to come by, agreement on what wisdom is not, is much easier. Researchers agree that wisdom is not a result of aging. Nor do they believe that higher IQ scores signify increased wisdom.
According to The VIA Institute on Character, wisdom is defined as “knowledge hard fought for, and then used for good” (Peterson and Seligman, 2004).
The same group of researchers conclude that there are five character strengths included in the virtue of wisdom:
- creativity,
- curiosity,
- judgment,
- love of learning, and
- perspective
Let’s take a deeper look at Peterson and Seligman’s definitions (2004).
Creativity is “thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it.”
I feel I am a creative person, but art is not my strong point!
Curiosity is “taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering.”
I am growing more curious as I age. Am I getting wiser???
Judgment (open-mindedness or critical thinking) is “thinking things through…it’s ‘not jumping to conclusions.’” Judgment is the ability to take in new evidence and change one’s mind if necessary. It’s weighing information fairly.
Often, being judgmental is seen as a negative. It is so refreshing to see this definition.
Love of Learning is “mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge.” A love of learning involves systematically adding to one’s knowledge base, whether formally or informally.
This is one of my top five (signature strengths)! Must be why I continue to go back to school, obtain further training, read nonfiction…
Perspective- Five factors were found to enable or inhibit perspective:
- “Life tasks – Pursuing career tasks in the late 30s and 40s, for example, led to the development of precocious wisdom by age 43.
- Adjustment – Wisdom isn’t simply about adjusting to societal norms and expectations.
- Coming to terms with life choices – People who are able to do this by age 53 are wiser at age 53. This was true when compared to people having no regrets. It also was true when compared to people with unresolved regrets (Hartman, 2000).
- Life changes – Hartman (2000) found that women who experienced more major changes in love and career developed more wisdom by midlife.
- Stressful life experiences – Higher rates of negative stressors inhibit the development of wisdom.”
Numbers 1, 3, and 4 above ring quite true for me. I started my master’s degree at age 45. I had multiple changes in my career before age 50. And, at 52 ½ years of age, I have come to terms with many of life’s choices. Guess that makes sense, as perspective ranked 6/24 on my VIA strengths.
It’s important to remember that wisdom, like other strengths and virtues, can be learned. We all have all of them; how they show up for each of us daily is just different. Let’s say you want to be able to take on others’ views more easily. You may set out to work on expanding your perspective or holding off on judgment until you have all the facts. Practicing these skills will allow these strengths to broaden and deepen, therefore allowing you to learn to use them more frequently and freely!
Creativity, curiosity, and judgment are midrange for me. No matter how I decide to spend the rest of my life, I know that growing my wisdom will be a priority. And I will focus my attention on these three traits. How about you?
How are you wise?
How do you use your wisdom to your benefit? To the benefit of others?
How can you try out your wisdom in new ways? What do you think the result will be?
What do you admire about those who you think are wise?
Which wisdom strength will you nourish today?